1. Mykirklees: winter
Index
Facts and Figures
What people said
Twitter feedback
What things cost
Winter myths
Top three FAQ’s
Clearing snow

2. Mykirklees: winter
Facts and figures:
• We look after over 1,900km (about 1,200 miles) of road network .
• We grit 60% of that network , these priority routes are main roads, main bus routes and steep
roads that provide important links to main roads. This represents over 700 miles of road that can
be treated within two hours of starting to grit.
• We have 32 vehicles that we can use for gritting (plus reserves)
• We have 1,250 grit/salt bins, the grit is provided for use on public roads and pavements.
• We use rock salt which is known as 'grit' but is in fact about 99% salt. A grit for frost uses about
100 tonnes of salt, when it snows we use over 240.
• We have text message activated snow warning signs to warn drivers of difficult situations ahead.
• We get up to date weather forecasts direct from the MET office and have weather stations and
sensors around Kirklees. We also have night patrols to monitor the situation on the roads.

3. If the grit bins
Mykirklees: winter
were full at least What people said:
we’d be able to
do something Make sure the
salt and the
ourselves
gritters are ready
for winter
Paths
should be
gritted, not
I don’t think its feasible to say just roads
that Kirklees as a council should
be able to clear every road
when the snow comes down. Its
just not that simple is it? Roads should
be cleared
within 24 hours
I think they
do a pretty
reasonable I think they should Major roads and steep
job for our have someone on hills should be
money. foot walking around prioritised because
[gritting by hand] they would be
dangerous
otherwise

4. Mykirklees: winter
Twitter feedback:
Got to say the roads
have been very well
cleared and the The roads have
Big thumbs up to you general been SO much
guy. A gritter came organisation/notificati better this year,
down our road today, 2 ons have been top sadly it means I
Dec, the first time notch from
have got to work
EVER that has @KirkleesWinter
every day! haha.
happened.. Thank you A job well done so
far imo
it's not ALL your fault!
The weather is playing
it's part. I know you
have not got a magic
I think
wand, it's just @KirkleesWinter
frustrating. have done a
I'm impressed with the
fantastic job! Easy
state of the roads journey from
today. Well done Honley to Barnsley
Keep up the good
gritting teams. Keep up this morning!
work I know your the good work Thanks!
getting complaints
but you cant be
everywhere at the
same time

5. Mykirklees: winter
What things cost:
• £900 - Grit bin: 3yrs (inc grit)
• £1300 - Grit bin: 5yrs (inc grit)
• £46,000 - To fill all grit bins in the region (1250)
• £15,000 - 1 grit of priority route (gritted 40 times in December 2010)
• £2000 - per hour of ploughing – in addition to gritting costs.
• £16000 - per day – snow / ice clearance from village/town centres (15-20 a day)
• £30,000 - Resurface an average road (250m)
• £100,000 - Reconstruct an average road (250m)

6. Mykirklees: winter
Winter myths:
Myth: Gritters don’t work weekends.
A: Yes they do! We grit when we need to regardless of the day of the week.
Myth: If the roads aren’t clear of snow it means they haven’t been gritted.
A: Grit helps to stop water on the road freezing, fresh snow can still settle on a gritted road.
Myth: If the road is ploughed it should be clear down to the tarmac
A: Ploughs can’t rest on the road (catseyes, ironworks etc), so clear snow to a depth of approx 2”
Myth: If I can’t see grit on the road, it’s not been gritted
A: Most Grit is now kept covered and dry, therefore is much finer and distributed evenly – making it
difficult to see.
Myth: I never see a gritter, therefore you haven’t gritted
A: Our gritters work best in light traffic so we grit early/late, we have 32 in our fleet and most are
dual purpose flatbed HGV’s so not obvious during the day.

7. Mykirklees: winter
Top three FAQ’s:
I got up this morning and the roads What’s the point gritting the main Why don’t you grit the pavements?
are covered in snow, why haven’t roads if you don’t do the side roads
We have 1,900km (about 1,200 miles) of
you gritted? so we can get to them? road and most of that has pavement on
We probably have gritted the roads but it The main roads are the backbone of the both sides - that is a lot of pavement! It’s
doesn’t stop the snow from settling. Grit road network. They allow transport very difficult to grit pavements because we
relies on traffic to crush it and ‘activate’ it. companies to deliver fuel and food and to can’t use the same machinery we use to grit
The salt works by lowering the freezing re-supply shops. They are also vitally roads and because grit needs to be crushed
point of moisture on the surface once it important for the emergency services. For in by traffic to get it working. We will clear
has been ‘ground in’ by traffic. On quieter these reasons, it is essential that we keep as ice and snow in town centres by hand when
routes with less traffic, snow can settle much of the priority route network open as we have the staff and grit to be able to do
over a gritted surface to give the possible. Under normal circumstances, this. We do clear pavements in key areas
impression it has not been gritted. when the priority route is clear and there is such as schools, hospitals and doctors
Modern grit is also finer and kept in dry standing snow, we do grit the side roads as surgeries for example but mass clearing of
storage where possible. The days of seeing well. If the weather is particular severe or pavements is near impossible.
lumps of grit on the roads or a brown trail has continued for several days then it is a
after a gritter has passed are long gone. continuous task to keep the priority
Grit can be washed off the roads by network clear so fewer side roads can be
surface water or rain and it’s less effective dealt with.
at temperatures below -5°C, with a very
limited effect below -10°C.
Having said that, it’s still the best thing
available to us to use with the weather
conditions in this country.

8. Mykirklees: winter
Clearing snow:
There's no law stopping you from clearing If you remove the top layer of snow in the These won't stop the path icing over as
snow and ice on the pavement outside morning, any sunshine during the day will well as salt, but will provide good grip
your home or from public spaces. help melt any ice beneath. You can then under foot.
cover the path with salt before nightfall to Take care where you move the snow.
It's unlikely you'll be sued or held legally stop it refreezing overnight. When you're shovelling snow, take care
responsible for any injuries on the path if Use salt or sand - not water. where you put it so it doesn't block
you have cleared it carefully. Follow the If you use water to melt the snow, it may people's paths or drains. Make sure you
snow code when clearing snow and ice refreeze and turn to black ice. Black ice make a path down the middle of the area
safely. increases the risk of injuries as it is to be cleared first, so you have a clear
If you clear snow and ice yourself, be invisible and very slippery. You can prevent surface to walk on. Then shovel the snow
careful - don't make the pathways more black ice by spreading some salt on the from the centre of the path to the sides.
dangerous by causing them to refreeze. area you have cleared. You can use Offer to clear your neighbours' paths.
But don't be put off clearing paths because ordinary table or dishwasher salt - a If your neighbour will have difficulty
you're afraid someone will get injured. tablespoon for each square metre you getting in and out of their home, offer to
Remember, people walking on snow and clear should work. Don't use the salt found clear snow and ice around their property
ice have responsibility to be careful in salting bins - this will be needed to keep as well. Check that any elderly or disabled
themselves. Follow the advice below to the roads clear. Be careful not to spread neighbours are alright in the cold weather.
make sure you clear the pathway safely salt on plants or grass as it may cause
and effectively. them damage. If you don't have enough
Clear the snow or ice early in the day. salt, you can also use sand or ash.
It's easier to move fresh, loose snow rather
than hard snow that has packed together
from people walking on it. So if possible,
start removing the snow and ice in the
morning.